Everything You Need To Know About Gun Storage

Today's firearms are very powerful and dangerous tools. Firearms are tools that the most proficient users know must be treated with respect. When using a gun, a few rules must be followed to keep you and everyone safe.

But how can we practice using firearms correctly when there when hunting and shooting sessions end? Most of the guns users have will be spent at rest, placed safely in a stored area and used during certain shooting events.

A lot of gun storage containers and accessories are available. But no holster can fit every budget or be utilized in each situation. Some safe storage options will perform one of these tasks that they will do depending on how much you can afford:

Protect your gun from physical harm

Prevents theft

Stopping a gun from firing

Since they are essential tools that can cause a lot of harm, it's important that you know how to store them correctly. Our primary purpose is to teach you how gun storages are beneficial to you if you plan on using ﻿﻿﻿concealed﻿﻿﻿ carry.

By the end of this post, we'll invite you to look at our buying guide. We want to help you learn about gun safes and point you in the right direction.

Protection

The most obvious thing firearms safes protect are children. Children are more likely to stumble onto a gun and accidentally pulling the trigger, which is why it is important to teach them the ​basics of gun owning and its dangers​. This negligence might result in them causing harm to themselves or others. Teenagers might want to use your guns to show their friends might accidentally pull the trigger.

With a secure safe that's only accessible to you, you can prevent accidents and a multitude of life threatening injuries.

Another thing that a gun safe can do is protect you from intruders or home invasions. If there is a break in, and your weapons aren't locked in a secure place. You'll find them lost or stolen once you get back home. Burglars can use those guns for other crimes or resell them, so keeping a gun safe will stop intruders from causing long term damage.

Antique and Limited Collection guns have a lot of sentimental value and are worth a lot of money. Keeping them stored in a safe prevents them from getting burned in a fire or by other natural disasters. Most of the safes are waterproof and fireproof making them perfect against physical damages.

What To Do If My Gun Storage Becomes Damaged?

The possibility of your gun safe becomes damaged is small, but it does happen. A burglar could have broken or destroyed it during a robbery. Or, your weapon is stuck inside the safe, and you can't open it. Don't panic; a skilled locksmith can take care of your damaged safe and repair it quickly.

Call a lock smith, if your gun safe needs repairs. Since most safes are very sturdy and heavy, your locksmith might have to provide an on-location service to fix your issue.

There is a meager chance that your guns can get stuck inside the safe. But, your safe provides enough safety and protection when your guns aren't in use.

Be a responsible gun owner and make sure that your guns are locked in a safe place.

Types Of Safe Gun Storage

Here is a list of the different types of safes that are available:

Trigger Locks: Trigger locks are placed around the trigger and prevent your gun from firing.

Cable Locks: Cable locks are pieces of cable that run through the action or barrel that stops firing.

​Gun Cases: Cases are made to protect your guns from physical damage and can be stored in one location.

Strong Boxes and Security Cases: These storage systems come with a combination and a lock that provide increased protection.

Gun Cabinets: Require a simple installation process and is safe for small children.

Gun Safe: Gun safes offer the most protection and can store a large variety of guns (they can be expensive).

A trigger shoe is clamped onto the trigger of the gun. This clamp stops the trigger from being misused by an inexperienced user. Since they come into full contact with the trigger, the gun shouldn't be installed on loaded guns.

Pros

The trigger locks are effective at preventing children from using your weapon. Since it's locked on the trigger, your child won't be able to fire it. We suggest investing in a pair of gun locks if you have small children in your home.

Plus, trigger locks are inexpensive! You can find them at your local gun store for around $17. Make sure that your trigger lock is of high quality to stop your children from causing issues with your weapons.

Cons

There are some issues associated with trigger locks. While they can stop kids from using the gun, it won't prevent teenagers from causing harm. An adult or a teenager with a drill or bolt cutter can quickly remove a trigger lock.

Also, trigger locks take a long time to open, leaving you vulnerable and unable to defend yourself during a home invasion. Make sure to get a pair of trigger locks that are durable and are easy to remove.

If you are a gun owner on a budget, you should invest in some trigger locks. They don't cost that much, but they offer a basic set of protection. And, the locks are easy to remove in the event of an emergency For first-time gun users, you should get a pair of trigger locks.

Gun Cable Locks

What's It Used For

Gun cable locks are useful, but only if you know how to use them correctly. Surveys say that up to 10% of Americans gun-owners with children have a gun that's unlocked and loaded.

Cable locks are inexpensive, costing around $10 or more. But there's one problem: one cable lock can't fit every gun. You'll have to find a wire lock that fits with your guns dimensions for it to work properly.

People like cable locks because it's simple to use. All you have to do is turn the safety on, place the cable right through the barrel, chamber, magazine, and through the padlock.

People fear that their gun will become damaged. But, cable locks prevent your weapon from becoming damaged. Make sure to close on the side of the cable. Some of them are covered by rubber, plastic, or nylon, so there's no need to worry about damage.

Pros

Cable locks are perfect for basic gun owners because they keep the chamber loaded and keeps the gun unloaded. Trigger locks offer this same protection but are easier for children to manipulate.

Just like trigger locks, the cable locks aren't expensive. They are around $10 online and are easy to obtain. Get them, so you'll keep your weapons free from the hands of your children.

Cons

As we stated earlier, cable locks can't be used on every firearm type. While they are good for pistols, cable locks aren't long enough to fit a shotgun. Buy cable locks if you have short fire arms that need temporary protection.

Don't see cable locks as the main form of gun safety. Any gun lock type can be defeated by someone that's determined and has enough time on their hands. Your cable lock is designed to protect your firearms from children. They are just another gun safety precaution.

Also, they will have to hinder you during emergencies such as home invasions. It will take you some time to get fully remove the gun cable from your weapon. It doesn't mean that you don't have to use a cable lock, but it's something else you should think about. But if your primary goal is to have your firearms safe from children, cable locks will do the trick.

Gun Cases

Unlike cable locks and trigger locks, your gun cases protect your firearms from environmental damage. For instance, moisture, dirt, and other ailments tamper with your gun's basic functions and can destroy the quality of it. That's why you should invest in a gun case.

Here is a table showing the different gun case classes that are available:

Gun Case Class

Explanation

Military/Law Enforcement

Military and law enforcement cases have the maximum amount of protection and durability. They are made to protect your weapons in harsh conditions and are waterproof and are hard to destroy. While these cases are expensive, its important for long term gun protection.

Hunter Cases

Hunters are usually mobile and must transport their gun from place to place. They need cases that are reliable and sturdy while out hunting for game. Hunter gun cases are durable, but not as strong as a military/law enforcement case. They can be tossed onto the back of the truck, but aren’t always waterproof. You’ll see these cases camouflage with an additional outer covering.

Personal Cases

These cases were designed for minimal stress and travel. Since they are the cheapest gun class, they are the used by gun owners who rarely wear their guns in public. While these cases can’t withstand a lot of damaged, they can be stored safely ﻿﻿﻿under ﻿﻿﻿beds and closets. Although its common to see some personal cases in metal, it’s more common to see this case in hard plastic. Personal cases also come in cushioned, thick covers with no hard exterior.

Sportsmen Cases

Sportsmen cases aren’t as durable as hunter cases. This category is for sport related guns used for target shooting, skeet shooting, etc. The cases are designed to look attractive, but they are made to protect your guns from moderate damage.

Hard Gun Cases

Gun owners who tend to use their weapons in outdoor locations need a case with a tough exterior. Hard cases provide durable exteriors, but they offer very high-quality interiors. There is a thick foam that's inside of the case. This thick padding prevents the gun from moving or from falling out of the case.

Hard gun cases have one of the most reliable locking mechanisms. This is important to some gun owners, especially the ones who have children at home. Most gun owners who keep their firearms at home use hard cases because of their enhanced protection and making sure their guns remained locked.

On some occasions, you might need a hard gun case for traveling. They are the only form of gun storage that is allowed by train and airline travel.

They might run on the more expensive side, but hard gun cases last for a long time. If you're a gun owner that's serious about the preservation of your firearms, then hard cases are an excellent choice for you.

Soft Gun Cases

These gun cases are cheaper than hard gun cases. They are commonly used by gun owners who rarely take their weapons out of their closet. Soft gun cases come in materials such as:

Oiled cotton

Canvas

​Nylon

Plain Cotton

Soft cases provide a minimal level of protection from physical damage. However, they are a suitable choice for people who need their guns stored away.

Your soft gun case's interior will vary in quality. The cases' interior can be made of cotton, nylon, or other materials. But, some soft cases have a wool lining that can get in different sections of your gun.

Remember, due to its flexible and mobile exterior, the interior materials don't "lock in place." This fact means that your gun is protected from scratches, but not fully safe against the shock of bangs and drops.

Soft gun cases are closed via zipper. This means that they give less protection than hard cases. There are alternative locking options, but they are combination locks or padlocks that constrain the zipper piece. While it does offer security, we don't think it's a reliable option.

Inside Foam

The inside foam of your gun case is designed to protect your guns from fall damage. When looking for a case, make sure that the interior foam can match the shape of your weapon. Soft cases are known to misalign with the user's gun, potentially causing it to break when dropped.

Materials

Aluminum

Aluminum is the standard in the development of hard cases. In fact, it's light enough that it can pass through airline travel regulations.

We like aluminum because it's durable. When in use, it can withstand a lot of bumps before breaking. That's why we suggest getting an aluminum material hard case for gun owners. They will last for a long time, and your guns won't become destroyed if the case drops.

Wood

Some gun aficionados like having wooden gun cases due to their antique appeal. Wooden gun cases are made of tweed or leather coverings that give off a classic and stylish look.

But, wooden cases' main flaw is their weight-to-strength. The case is not as strong as an aluminum case or composite case. To even match their durability, a wooden case would have to be large and impractical. Wooden gun cases fail to pass airline regulations; making them a bad choice for traveling.

Composite

Composite materials like fiber reinforced compounds and plastic have a lot of durability and weight reduction. Cases of this caliber are used by the military to carry through harsh and dangerous areas. Not every plastic case is of military approved materials, but high-end composite cases offer the maximum amount of protection.

Plus, composite gun cases can reduce impacts because of its strong material. There is also a large range of composite cases to choose from. You'll have to decide the amount of protection you'll need and how much you're willing to pay for the quality. Some are used for simple purposes, while premium cases will grant the highest level of security.

When getting a composite case, you should check its form. You'll notice that some composite cases have a ribbed pattern. This gives two benefits. The first one is a powerful foundation. Think of it as the floor in your home. If your floor were a flat surface that lacks support beams, it would fall immediately.

By giving your gun case support, you increase the surface integrity and protect your firearms. Composite cases with ribbed pattern have a little to no flex. The more ribbing, the higher the support the case has.

Ribbed pattern guns are resistant to fall impacts. They offer an extra layer of protective padding for your guns. The more material you place between an impact and your firearm, the better. Make sure your case has a ribbed pattern if you are planning to travel without issues.

Waterproof

There is a lot of debate on whether waterproof cases are necessary. If you're planning to hunt in humid areas where water is present, then you'll want a waterproof case.

As its name suggests, waterproof cases prevent your guns from getting wet. There are situations where moisture can get inside of your case and do damage. Fortunately, waterproof cases are good at stopping this as well.

You'll want to remove any source of moisture of your gun. Most water cases can seal the water out. But this also means that they can seal in water. Wipe off your guns before placing them in the case to avoid this issue.

Strong Boxes And Security Cases

What's It Used For

Strong boxes are designed for handguns. The boxes have mounting systems that allow the guns to be attached to a fixed surface. Some of the boxes come with modern locking mechanisms such as fingerprint scanners and electronic push-buttons.

Security cases are used for their portability. Like strong boxes, they are compact enough to be carried around for travel. You should purchase a strong case if you want a device that's mobile and durable.

Pros

Security cases and strong boxes offer the same level of protection as a high-end gun safe. But, security cases aren't that expensive. Because of this, they are small, yet robust safes that are used for travel purposes.

Cons

Since most of them are compact, they are easy to be stolen. A thief can break into your home and take the box. We recommend paying extra for a sturdier box to prevent gun theft from happening.

Gun Cabinets

What's It Used For

Gun cabinets are different than safes for numerous reasons. It has a simple locking mechanism, a thin level of fireproof insulation, and a smaller gauge of steel. These three factors make ​even the ​gun cabinets in our best rated cabinets for guns reviews more affordable and accessible than gun safes.

Pros

We think that cabinets are a step up from strong boxes and metallic cases when it comes to storing multiple guns. Cabinets offer a higher storage capacity and extra configuration options. You can bolt gun cabinets on the floor like a safe or a wall.

Cons

Gun cabinets are the traditional method of storing guns. While they have a nice and polished appearance, they don't offer the same amount of protection as a gun safe. Still, gun cabinets are used to prevent children from using guns.

You shouldn't waste your money on a high-end gun cabinet. Since they aren't as durable as gun safes, you're better off buying an economy-line safe instead.

Types

Normal Locking Cabinet

These cabinets come locked via a safe. Regular locking cabinets open up by a safe combination or code, and then the guns are accessed. Since they consist of metallic material, they offer a high level of protection for your firearms.

Display Cabinets

Display cabinets are made of glass or wood to showcase your guns. Gun owners like cabinets because it's an appealing way to store guns. But, display cabinets have low durability. Thus, you should buy a safe to make the most out of your money.

Types Of Material

Steel

Steel gun cabinets offer the highest amount of durability. The case's hard outer covering ensures that your weapons won't become exposed to moisture, bacteria, or other quality reducing ailments. If you have the money, invest in a steel gun cabinet to maximize your firearm's safety.

Wood

Wooden cabinets are known for their polished and appealing design. But, they can be easily accessed by children. You'll have to pay extra for a quality wooden gun cabinet to keep your guns safe.

Gun Safes

What's It Used For

Gun Safes are a sturdy storage container for one or multiple firearms. The safe is used to prevent unauthorized people from accessing your guns. Some gun safes come with water proof protection and can protect the contents from fire, flood, or other natural disasters.

Pros

As time progressed, gun safes become more used than gun cabinets. While gun cabinets have an antique feel, gun safes consist of sturdy materials for extra protection. Although, a few gun safes were designed to have the same resemblance of a gun cabinet

Some gun safes have pry resistant metals and locking technology to stop forced entry. Simple safes protect users from quick burglaries and unwanted access from others. Other safes are good at protecting its contents from natural disasters.

There are gun safes hidden from plain view. Fake walls have hinges on the end of a closet can be used as a gun safe. Get a gun safe if you want a subtle and more efficient way of storing your firearms.

Cons

Gun safes are not for consumers with small budgets. In fact, gun safes are outright expensive. Be prepared to pay at least $200 or more to find a gun safe that's valuable.

Types Of Safes

Fireproof

On rare occasion, a fire might occur near or in your house. Steel safes don't have the material needed to survive a fire. Designed to resist fire damage, your fireproof safe protects your firearms during emergencies. Fireproof safes can have either an electronic keypad or turn lock.

In-Wall

Unlike portable safes that transport to any location, in-wall safes placed on a wall, can't be easily carried. In-wall guns might lack in their convenience, but make up for it in stability.

In-wall safes have an electric, fingerprint, or turn lock to access your firearms. They come in a multitude of sizes to accommodate and store different volumes of weapons.

Biometric Safe

You'll see biometric safes when you want maximum security. Instead of relying on a combination or a key, it remembers your fingerprints to allow access. Biometric safes are expensive, but provide security and a reliable gun safe that only you can use.

Under Bed Safes

Under bed safes is a useful investment for all gun owners. Sometimes large safes are unable to conceal from intruders. For instance, a burglar can enter your home and tamper with a large safe. Having an under bed safe gives the user some peace of mind because it's readily available.

If you plan on using a handgun for safety, it would be a waste of money to place it inside a large safe. When your safe is under your bed, you're more confident to use it when a dangerous scenario occurs. Buy this safe if you have no children at home and need an easy way to access your firearm during a home invasion.

Car Gun Safes

Two things Americans love the most: Cars and Guns. Still, you'll need to install a car gun safe if you plan on using it in public areas. Not having a car gun safe doesn't only place you at risk, but others as well. People who are riding with you with no knowledge that a gun is hidden is also in danger.

While you can still have a concealed carry permit, individual institutions still prohibit the use of firearms. Installing a car gun secures your arms when you go to the post office, pick up your children at school, and when you need to enter areas where a gun is prohibited.

Corner Gun Safe

When getting a corner gun, make sure that its materials are sturdy enough to be used properly. Getting a corner gun safe ensures that your weapons stay in your room in a locked and secure place.

Night Stand Gun Safe

Like the under-bed safe, this safe is placed within your room. Night stand safes are secure, safe, and are right by your bed. This means that you can reach for your gun without leaving your bed. Use a night stand gun safe for the quickest access to a gun during an emergency.

Types Of Locks

Combination Lock

There's no better safe lock than a combination lock. Combination locks are reliable, and the code is harder for burglars to remember. They aren't sensitive to conditions such as heat, water, and moisture. Combination locks stand up to a lot of pressure and should be considered if you want a high-quality safe.

Combination locks have been around since the early 1900s. In fact, combination locks are the easiest lock to maintain. All you have to do is add lubrication to the tumblers of the locks, and that's it. With combination locks, a bit of maintenance goes a long way.

When you take care of your combination lock, you increase its lifespan by up to 4x. Combination locks come with longer warranties than electric locks and are easy to repair. A high-quality combination lock can last for up to 25 years without needing to be fixed.

Biometric Lock

Biometric locks use behavioral or physical characteristics to identify the user. These features include iris detection, finger prints, eye retina, facial recognition, and your blood vessels. The best form of technology is the retinal eye scanner.

About 50% of the people in America today use smartphones with biometric devices to access it. Most of them take the form of a finger print reader. There is something about getting a unique safe that appeals to everyone.

Biometric locks are perfect at stopping unexpected entry and eliminates the need for a key. But like most methods of gun storage, there is a catch. You can buy military biometric locks for about $4,000. Commercial grade locks will cost around $100. While the prices are lowering, they are quite expensive.

There are two flaws associated with biometric locks. One issue is that the fingerprint readers are attached to low-quality safes. Sometimes, these lower quality safes can be opened using a simple paperclip. So if you do buy a biometric lock, make sure it's a high-quality product.

The second flaw lies in its recognition software. The device sometimes has problems reading user's finger prints. Biometric locks work as a scanner that views your finger print as an image. But, what is its margin of error? What if you damage your finger while fighting a burglar? Chances are you won't receive a gun and place yourself at risk.

Buy a mechanical gun safe as a supplement to a biometric lock. This ensures that you'll have a set of firearms to access if a burglar arrives. Having both locks ensure that your guns are safe until the event that they need to be used.

Dual Lock

EMPs (electronic mechanical protection) offer the highest level of gun protection. The largest threat to a safe is an electromagnetic pulse. They can be caused by a myriad of things, such as a flood or nuclear detonation.

Invest in a dual lock safe with EMP to prevent this threat from occurring. EMP infused safes prevent you from being stuck in this situation.

Gun owners know that in emergency situations, you need quick access to your safe. This means that you'll need to invest in a safe that can retrieve your weapons fast. Before the development of EMP technology, gun owners were at risk using an electric lock. Sometimes electromagnetic pulses make it impossible for users to enter the safe.

With EMP technology, you can use a mechanical lock during tough situations. You'll don't have to worry about your safe not working due to an electromagnetic pulse. Instead, if one option fails, you'll have another one available for you.

Having a dual lock safe gives you the best of both worlds. Not only will you retrieve your firearms as quick as possible, but you'll have a second entry to your safe if natural causes destroy the electronic lock.

Electric Lock

Electric locks are gun safes that are powered by a battery. After mechanical locks had been developed, electronic locks were designed to provide faster gun access. These locks are useful if you want to keep your children away from tampering with your firearms.

The electric lock has a lot of attractive features. But, they are known for being the least reliable method of gun storage. They are still useful safes but don't expect them to work during a lockout. Lockouts occur when the electronic portion of your gun safe fails to function properly.

Here is a list of failures that occur when using an electric lock:

The wires and keypad are destroyed in a fire.

Circuit shortage can cause for the lock to fail

​Striking impacts can damage the button membrane

The batteries become expired making it impossible to open the safe

The lock bolt becomes jammed under pressure

Because of this, we advise that you look for a dual lock EMP safe. Double lock safes are a perfect blend of mechanical and electronic locks. If you must use an electronic lock, use it for the short term. Upgrade to a higher quality gun safe once you have the means.

Key Access

Key access locks are the simplest to use and the easiest to obtain. One key advantage is the safe's increased lifespan. On average, your key lock gun safe will last at least six years. Thus, making them very useful if you need a safe that won't wear down over time.

Key access locks are made 100% out of mechanical parts free of electronics and batteries. This mechanical construction makes it easier for you to access your guns without the need of relying on technology. Buy a key access lock if you want a minimal, yet effective way to store your guns.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, you need a gun safe to protect you and your family. Keeping your guns in an organized location ensures that you'll be ready during a dangerous situation. By investing in a quality gun safe, you reduce the risk of robbery, home invasions, and death.

There are a few things that we've forgotten in our educational guide. Ourb﻿﻿uying guid﻿e﻿﻿ is made to help you find the best gun safes available. Each of the safes on the list is of high quality and are proven to protect your firearms. Give the guide a look if you are serious about protecting your livelihood!

If you have any questions about gun safes, please let us know in the comments.